Jump to content
 

The Fatadder

RMweb Gold
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    8,312

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by The Fatadder

  1. The Fatadder

    37065 part 1

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    I will freely admit that I have something of an addiction when it comes to Class 37s.  However as per a previous blog, I now have more than enough of the class to model all of the workings which are required for both my current and planned layouts.
     
    However.....
    I have long had a spare mk1 37/0 body with the cowlings removed and one end replaced with a modified mk1 Bachmann 37/4 end.  The chassis was modified to power a Silver Fox D600 so has no fuel tanks or side frames.  I started work on the conversion, including cleaning up a current generation 37/4 end that had been converted to a flush front (ex 37607), before being offered a complete stripped split box 37/0 with a damaged chassis.
     
    the chassis was a quick fix gluing the side frames back into position and resoldering the wires for the lights.  A set of P4 wheels were added (removed from 37207 which is destined for the display shelf and the odd play on Brent.)
     
    the flush end that I had previously converted was repurposed and installed on the new body (which conveniently had already been fitted with an Extreme Etchings roof grill.)
    finally the body was given a coat or primer, and is now ready to be sprayed in Mainline blue (while the ends have been removed to paint in warning yellow separately to avoid the need for masking.  I have a set of Fox transfers ready to go (including the silver stripe) but sadly 065 is not included number wise.)
     
     


  2. The Fatadder

    37607 - updated ends

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    Back last summer when working on my model of 37607 it was left in a part finished state with the ends missing the horn grills.  Last night I started work on another Class 37 project, modelling 37065 in Mainline.  This is an interesting loco which had a flush front on one end and a split headcoded at the other end.  In order to do this I was cutting the headcode boxes off a split box body, and would of course need a pair of horn grills and marker light lenses (at least I did manage to find a pack of two horn grills in my scrap box.)   So I was going to need to buy another pack of marker lenses and horn grills, a quick look on Rainbow Railways website showed a set of Bachmann flush front ends available for about twice what I was going to pay for the etches, so it was a simple decision to get them ordered! 
     
    With the parts having arrived soon after they were quickly stripped and repainted to get rid of the LoadHaul orange.  A DRS recessed multiple working socket was cut into the end, and the various sockets and jumper cables were added to the cab front from various Bachmann and Heljan parts.  Just need to add the wire to the cables now...
     
    One day I have a small project that this loco (along with 612 and a pair of 20s) will provide the motive power for, based around the end of the Berkeley branch at Sharpness.  It would have the run around loop at the end of the line, and probably some sort of sidings serving other industry (at the port there is cement, scrap, and several large distribution centres).  Who knows if it will ever be made, but for the moment at least it gives me an excuse to be modelling these interesting locos (and the pair of FNA which are also currently on the workbench)...
     
     


  3. The Fatadder

    The Great Western TPO

    By The Fatadder,


    Non Passenger Coaching Stock Formations
    Formation:  (down)
    King or Castle
    Siphon G 2917
    L23 814
    L21 794
    LMS 30249 (vehicle was replaced with a Hawksworth L25 at some point in 47 and returned to the LMS)
    L18 807
    L22 798 (again this appears to have been replaced with an L25 by 1948, coach diagram 
    was also used in a Plymouth cross country service, so I will likely also replace eventually)
    K17 1125


    O33 Siphon G, Ian McDonald kit

    L23 (Hammond Kit) currently on
    a modified Lima siphon chsssis which is riding too high. This will eventually end up under an L24 and a new comet chassis under this coach.  It still needs a full set of castings sourcing plus buffers.


    L21 (Hammond kit) still needs fitting with buffers
     

    LMS (Hornby with modified recessed doors / new net area), still needs couplings adding.


    L18 (Hammond kit)
     
    L22 (Hammond kit)
     

    K17 (Hornby clerestory brake which has been resided with plasticard, the plan is to replace with some more refined etched sides in due course.
  4. The Fatadder

    Yeoman SW1001 project

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    The start of what is likely to be a very slow build....
    While tidying up under the layout last night I came across a very old project respraying what I think was an Athern SW1000 in HO into Foster Yeoman livery as 44 Western Yeoman II that I had completed way back in 2000/2001, a year or so later it was fitted with a DCC decoder which most annoyingly has been lost at some point.   The loco was "finished" with the exception of adding the wasp stripes to the ends, and the buffers (which were to be fitted after finishing the wasp stripes).  But not a lot of the differences between an SW1000 and SW1000 were modelled.  (That said I am impressed with the quality of spraying from 16 year old me, given it was done with one of those pseudo airbrush / aerosol can hybrid things as opposed to a real airbrush.  If i remember rightly it also resulted in a fair amount of blue paint sprayed over the kitchen table!)
     
     I would like to get it finished to a degree, I am planning a large display case for the study in which to put some of the various bits of stock that I want to keep but are of no use to my layouts.  The SW1001 will look good along with my finished PTA. 
     
    There are a number of differences, some of which I will tackle while others will be ignored as they are too involved.   If I was building a model of Merehead it would be worth going to a further level of detail (there are accurate SW1001 shells available on Shapeways for example (but its over £100), or a hybrid of a SW1200 and SW1000 with a new cab.  A true 4mm scale model which really conveys the size of the thing would be very impressive.
     
    Headstock: This will need to be filed back flush and started again.  there is a large hole for the buckeye which needs filling and fitting with a coupling hook/droped buckeye.  a protruding section at the top needs to be removed, and the headstock as a hole needs extending about 2mm above the walkway.   (This last bit may have to be ignored as another error may be making this look wrong despite being the right size).  Trial and error will determine if adding the extension looks right.
    Footplate: The SW1001 has a lower footplate than an SW1000.  Without buying an SW1200 to strip for parts there is not a lot that I can do about this, but with the scale difference it may be working in my favour raising the height to be more comparable with OO stock.  
    Bogies: these are a completely different design. (again the SW1200 part apparently is right, but I cant find any in the UK at a reasonable price).  If I can find the missing two SW1000 parts one option is to remove the brake actuators, and add the lower bar from plasticard to get a representation.  The other option is to draw them up and do a 3d print.   I have managed to find a GA drawing of the SW1001 with plenty of dimensions on it which will help.
    Fuel tank: The SW1000 has a long air tank and a large fuel tank.  the 1001 has a short fat air tank and a much smaller fuel tank.  The model's tank is a cast lump and forms part of the motor mount, I am going to look to see if I can cut it back without damaging the motor, else its something I will have to live with.  the air tank can be shortened, but it hides the body / chassis retention clips, so care would be needed to replace those
    Bodyside (front): at the nose end there is a anguluar bulge below the filler cover, looks a simple job to add with plasticard.
    Bodyside (near cab): The 4th door on the model is fitted with vents where as the prototype has a fush door.  There is a risk of damage to the surrounding hinges etc, but it should be ok to cut/file this off.  In addition I think the other two vent doors are on the wrong doors (I could do some cutting and splicing to rearrange doors, but I will just live with this).
    Bonnet Top: The bell is located slightly too far backwards, the second (rear) exhaust needs removing, and a large silencer box needs to be added around the forward exhaust.  
    Bonnet Radiator Grill: Grill is approx 10mm too long and will need either filling or a section cutting out and replacing. the rest of the grill needs a raised cover adding (brass)
    Bonnet top: (near cab): There is an angle downwards from the bonnet top to the cab, it should be 1 door with but on the model it is 2 doors.  Im in two minds on this one as to whether to build up the side with pasticard to correct.
    Rear: The headstock has the same issues as the front, in addition the step up between the end and the cab is very different.  It should be a simple case of cutting out and rebuilding with plasticard (Assuming the chassis isnt in the way.)
    Nose: The light unit should only have the centre two lights, so the other 4 needs to be removed and filled.  (the same is true on the rear of the cab)
    Cab: this is the biggest difference and the hardest to resolve.  The SW1000 has a fairly flat roof profile, where as the 1001 has a much rounder roof.  The windows are lower by about 4mm on the sides and also has lower outer windows on the rear.  There was a detail part by Cannon for an SW1001 cab which would fit onto the Athern SW1000, but as far as I can tell its discontinued (and would be costly to ship to the UK).  So the alternatives are live with it, design a 3d printed new cab, or draw up new sides / ends / roof and cut with the silhouette.
    Handrails: Finally there are a few missing handrails, no doubt these are in a bits box somewhere.  But some are no doubt different to the model, non working lights will need to be fitted to these at the ends 
     
     
    Lots of work, and it will be a slow process, whether or not I get the cab / bogies printed they will be a good exercise in relearning 3d CAD.
      
     


  5. The Fatadder

    4923 Eynsham Hall GWR Black

    By The Fatadder,


    Mixed Traffic
    Background:
    The loco was a purchase from the estate of the late Comet owner, consisting of a Bachmann body / tender on a Comet loco chassis, and is an excellent runner (with a boiler stuffed full of lead).  I immediately rebranded it to G crest W without realising that as far as can be determined only Modified Halls were in lined green.  Eynsham Hall was chosen having recently stayed at the locomotives namesake.  Further research showed that 4923 was painted black in 47.  As well as the rebrand and identity change to 4923 with Modelmasters plates it has been fitted with a decoder (which has been hard wired into the tender).  The loco was then resprayed into G crest W wartime black and fitted with the correct Churchward bogie (along with a Dingham coupling on the rear).  I have not managed to find a 1947 photo of this loco to confirm details, so for the sake of modelling something different I have plated over the cab side windows.  (This decision had nothing at all to do with the fact that the glazing was damaged...)
     
    Usage:  
    It is another favourite loco which will end up in the pool for the Milk, Parcels and local passenger workings.
     
    Remaining Work:
    There are a few jobs remaining, clearly as a wartime black loco it needs to be dirty so there is a fair amount of weathering to be added.  It will also need the usual coal / crew / lamps adding

     

    A view of what might have been had it not been for nationalisation in 1948, given the Counties and Modified Halls both gained full lining as built its almost certain that the rest of the halls would start to be lined again as time went on.   
  6. The Fatadder

    Railtrack JNA build

    By The Fatadder,


    Engineers
    A minor distraction between working on my class 37s, while looking for something else in a parts box at the weekend I stumbled across an S Kits set of sides / ends for a Network Rail JNA ballast box (along with a bunch of plasticard sides/ends/floors cut to match).  A little research later to confirm it was of use for 1998 and I have cracked on with the build.   From memory my original plan was to scratch build a set of 6 in plastic (and not worry about the resin one).
     
    First of all for a set of resin parts that have sat in a scrap box for the past 12 years or so it has held up pretty well.  The sides are still straight and true (which was always a bit of a concern when it came to resin models).  Initially the model was missing the floor, castings and bogies, however the floor at least was an easy fix given there was a complete plasticard example (fitted with what I assume are the S Kits castings) in the box. 
     
    After drilling out the holes for the buffers, couplings and side steps, the basic structure was assembled with superglue before fitting the S Kits buffers and the steps from 0.45mm NS wire.
     
    The kit did not appear to include any way of representing the large panels on the sides which displayed the Railtrack branding (assuming I haven’t lost a part).  Looking at photos this was flush with the top of the bodyside ribs, so my initial thought was to recess a rectangle of 10thou brass into the side.  However the resin is a little brittle so in the end I just added it as an overlay. 

     
    I have been struggling to find a good match for the Railtrack green, looking at the two 1998 photos that I have found along with Bachmann PNA I think the green should be a little more blue.  It wouldn’t be an issue if they could be weathered, but seeing as the wagon is going to be practically brand new it a little trickier to hide (though maybe a light dusting of aggregate  dust might be enough to tone it down)
     
    Now it just needs bogies and handbrake wheels to get the build finished, the latter are likely in a bits box somewhere, while after searching ages for the bogies I remembered that they were pinched to go under my TDA clay tank…  I will get an order in with Stenson Models for a new set once it is has been lettered and ready to go.  

    The real question is what to do with it, I have only managed to find 2 prototype photos from 1998, both of which showing a long set of 15 or so wagons.  I have no interest in scratch building another 14 wagons, so I will need to find an alternative.  Unless I come across a photo of a short set, the most likely option will be tagging an empty single wagon into an Enterprise working which for whatever reason has been separated from the rest of its set.  The transfers include enough for 4 wagons, so there will always be a temptation to add a few more.  But I think justifying one is probably a lot easier than justifying 4…
     
    Speaking of transfers, if anyone has a surplus wagons worth of the Railtec transfers please drop me a PM.
  7. The Fatadder

    37667 rebuilding the grills

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    A long term resident of the work in progress shelf my EWS 37667 has made it onto the bench for attention.
     
    the main issue with this loco was that I had previously modelled in 2000s condition with Sandite port on the side.  This needed filling and repainting in EWS gold, which has been a difficult process to get an adequate paint match.  I removed a number to assist in blending the golds , which will need replacing.
     
    The main area of work has been focused around the nose grills, which were wrong at one end.  I didn’t want an overlay etch, so instead have cut out a hole, filled with a plasticard blank slightly recessed and then added the etch (the latter is cut from a spare set of my class 67 radiator etch)


     
    the bogies are a bit of an issue as the retention clips have failed on both ends.  So that needs fixing.
     
    But it’s finally getting to a point where I’m happy to start weathering 
     
  8. The Fatadder

    1364: GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Tank Engines
    Background
    First of all this loco is an unpowered paint sample from Kernow Models, purchased at one of the SWAG members days.  I had a choice between an unpainted model or a painted one for a few pounds more, so made the mistake of choosing the latter (only to find out shortly after that the unpainted ones had a motor fitted.)   
     
    Usage
    During the track building phase of the layout this loco proved very useful, the lack of motor meaning that you could push the loco along the track freely to test points.  Going forwards there is very little use for it, given the prototype would not be seen out on the mainline.  My somewhat convoluted justification is that it is working back to Laira / Cornwall after attention (and a repaint) at Newton Abbot Works.  Clearly the real thing must have had a major overhaul in the late 40s to have gained G W R green livery.  So my plan is to have it coupled up with another engine running back on a Laira bound goods.  
    Realistically it will spend most of its time in the display case in the study.
     
    Further Work
    It will need a crew, couplings (more likely than not screw links) and coal, along with a very light touch of weathering as suiting a loco that’s just been outshopped from the works.   Longer term  I would like to add an etched chassis along with a small motor / High Level gearbox to make a working model.


  9. The Fatadder

    5108: GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Tank Engines
    Background
    This started off as a cheap ebay find which turned out to have ruined cylinders, these were eventually replaced and the loco resprayed in a better shade of GWR green before adding Narrow Planet plates and weathering.  The plan was to sell in advance of the Hornby model’s arrival, but it didn’t sell and remains in the fleet.  It lacks a decoder and more likely than not will end up on ebay once again to raise funds towards a Hornby or Dapol replacement.  (If anyone would be interested in giving it a good home please drop me a pm to discuss purchase)
     
    Usage:
    There are two main uses, as motive power for the Exeter – Plymouth M Set (shared with quite a few other options) and as a banker helping freight trains up Dainton before switching lines in the station to reverse back down the hill.
     
    Remaining work:
    It needs DCC and lamps, or replacement with a 2020 generation model.




  10. The Fatadder

    9018: GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Mixed Traffic
    Background
    Not a lot to say about this, it is the Bachmann model pretty much as it comes (bar the renumbering with Narrow Planet plates).  It was even DCC fitted so I haven’t even needed to do that.
     
    Usage
    At present I only have the one Bird in the fleet, realistically I need several Bulldogs to cover both the assistance of express services as well as use on local freight.  For the moment the Dukedog will be filling in for these locos (particularly as the Bird does not currently work!)   Going forward it will be less useful, I have found a photo of a Dukedog powered freight crossing Devon, which remains the most likely option.  (But an alternative would be some 3d printed parts to convert it to a Bulldog…)
     
    Further Work
    The loco needs coal, Dinghams, a crew, lamps and weathering.  I want to make sure that the lamps are removeable so that once it is replaced by the Bulldog’s on the assistance duties it can be easily changed to a freight service.
     
     


  11. The Fatadder

    5029 Nunny Castle GW Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background
    The second Castle in the fleet is 5029 Nunney Castle, chosen because it was the location where I got engaged.  The start point was the Hornby Wellington release, swapping the tender with Berkeley Castle to get a 4000gl Collett tender.  This needed to be rebranded to G crest W (with the lower lining removed), modification to the loco – tender coupling was required given differences between the different Hornby releases.  The loco was renumbered using a set of Modelmasters plates, there is an issue here in that the Wellington start point has the “Castle Class” lower plate.  I have not yet done anything about this, it will either need to be repainted and relined, or its identity will get transferred to another Castle.  This makes sense as should I end up finding a suitable doner loco at the right price I would like to add 100 A1 Lloyds in oil burning form.  The loco is fitted with a Lenz 1025 in the tender.
     
    Usage:
    As with the prototype, these are probably the most useful locos in the fleet.  Suitable on the vast majority of the trains in the fiddleyard.  The main focus will be for the milk, TPO and Sleeper, along with the North West set that is not currently in the fiddleyard.  Given the issues around the splasher, naturally this loco currently is the spare Castle for which there is not a space in the fiddleyard.
     
    Remaining Work:
    In addition to the aforementioned splasher issue, the loco still requires a fair bit of work, it needs either a coat of Klear or satin lacquer to sort out the flat Hornby paint, weathering, a crew, lamps, new couplings and the tender coaling.



  12. The Fatadder

    5071 Spitfire GW Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background
    The final Castle in the fleet (for now at least) is 5071 Spitfire.  As with 5029 the start point was a Hornby Wellington, although this time there was no convenient other loco with which to swap the Hawksworth tender.  Instead this time I ended up buying parts from eBay to cobble together a new tender from a Hornby body and chassis with scratch built frames (utilizing a set of Finney castings).  This tended then ended up being swapped with the BR tender from my Star and was rebranded in the usual way with Microsol.   The loco has been renumbered with Modelmasters name/number plates, and has a Lenz Gold decoder in the tender.
     
    Usage:
    As with the prototype, these are probably the most useful locos in the fleet.  Suitable on the vast majority of the trains in the fiddleyard.  The main focus will be for the milk, TPO and Sleeper, along with the North West set that is not currently in the fiddleyard.
     
    Remaining Work:
    The loco still requires a fair bit of work, it needs either a coat of Klear or satin lacquer to sort out the flat Hornby paint, weathering, a crew, lamps, new couplings and the tender coaling.
     


  13. The Fatadder

    5798 GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Tank Engines
    Background:
    This started off as a Bachmann model already in GWR livery and DCC fitted to boot, it has been renumbered to Newton Abbot's 5798 with a set of Narrow Planet plates and some HMRS transfers.  A set of RT Models sandbox linkages were added to the front.  The moulded rear lamp irons were replaced with the Finney etch, while the missing front / side lamp irons were added also with the Finney etch.  A Hardy's Hobbies crew was added, and the loco was weathered / coaled.  Finally the incorrectly positioned incorrect yellow RA indicator was replaced with the correct blue circle above the number plate.
     
    Usage:
    The prime use will be the Newton Abbot - Kingsbridge freight, along with some of the other local freights.  Of course there is a slight issue in that currently there is not any fiddleyard space in which to put it.
     
    Remaining Work:
    Two jobs remaining on this one, fitting Dinghams (for which the holes are already prepared) and adding a lamp on the front. 
     

    photos taken prior to sorting the RA branding 
    alongside my 74xx for comparison 
  14. The Fatadder

    6013 King Henry VIII GW Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background:
    The model started as a Hornby King in Great Western livery, it has been rebranded to G crest W removing the original branding with Microsol and repainting the black areas.  The missing double red route indicators were added with HMRS transfers, along with a set of Modelmasters etched plates.  A Lenz Gold decoder is fitted in the decoder, the loco needed some rewiring as the 8 pin socket was incorrectly wired by Hornby.
     
    Usage: 
    Naturally this will join the other two Kings on the key expresses, I cant see a time when there will not be two kings on the layout (with a spare in the stock box).
     
    Work remaining:
    The loco needs fitting with a Dingham coupling on the rear, a crew fitting, tender coaling and lamps.  The bigger job that remains is to sort out the colour with a coat of klear, along with some light weathering.
     


  15. The Fatadder

    6027 King Richard I GW Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background:
    The model started as a Hornby King in Great Western livery, it has been rebranded to G crest W removing the original branding with Microsol and repainting the black areas.  The missing double red route indicators were added with HMRS transfers, along with a set of Modelmasters etched plates.  A Lenz Gold decoder is fitted in the decoder, the loco needed some rewiring as the 8 pin socket was incorrectly wired by Hornby.
     
    Usage: 
    Naturally this will join the other two Kings on the key expresses, I cant see a time when there will not be two kings on the layout (with a spare in the stock box).
     
    Work remaining:
    The loco needs fitting with a Dingham coupling on the rear, a crew fitting, tender coaling and lamps.  The bigger job that remains is to sort out the colour with a coat of klear, along with some light weathering.


  16. The Fatadder

    37403 Weathering

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    Last nights work finishing off 37403, which for now finishes off my class 37 fleet.
     
     
    At some point there will be a temptation to respray my remaining 1980s Tre Pol & Pen into Mainline and Red Stripe Cooksworthy into something more suitable, but for the moment they are destined to join 37207 in a display case.  The fact that two of them are my own work will likely be their saving grace.  
     
    I have done some work planning out the fiddleyard for my long term mainline project (with the current thinking focused around something inspired by Bodmin Parkway) looking at the plan I have enough locos to populate the fiddleyard (with spares) so I don’t really need any more 37s, but I lack anything in Mainline, and would like to do Tre Pol & Pen.   Really I don’t need 667 in EWS (given I have 521 and 670 in that livery), but the loco was always a favourite and it’s the most likely candidate for a first attempt at nose grill correction...


  17. The Fatadder

    4855: GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Heavy Freight
    Background:
    The model started as a Hornby 38xx which I had previously renumbered and fitted with etched plates and rebranded the tender to G W R.  It has now been fitted with a 3d printed (shapeways) oil tank on the tender along with the associated plumbing scratch built with various grades of brass tube / wire.  The cab has been modified to add the side sutters (etched parts found in the scrap box) and roof vents (scratch built from plasticard), along with a new identity as 4855 with some Narrow Planet plates.   The loco is fitted with Dingham couplings.
     
    Usage:
    4855 will be a semi permanent resident of the fiddleyard, being one of my more interesting locos.  It can currently be found coupled to the front of one of the nonstop freights.   It will be followed by either the 72xx or a 51xx which had banked it up Dainton (and will then return bunker first).
     
    Work Remaining:
    The loco still requires some
    weathering, along with the fitting of a crew and lamps
     

    4855 approaches the bridge over the Avon on a Tavistock Junction - Bristol freight
     

    A closer view of the loco
  18. The Fatadder

    2846 GWR

    By The Fatadder,


    Heavy Freight
    Background:
    The starting point is the excellent Hornby model sourced second hand with some minor issues which needed repairing to get it running (basically a full rewire and some bodywork repairs to the roof.)  It has be renumbrered and the tender rebranded from shirt button to G W R with HMRS transfers. The model is fitted with a Lenz Gold decoder in the tender.
     
    Usage:
    The current fiddleyard layout includes 2 heavy freight workings, for which I have 4 engines available (although two of them are currently as of March 21 sat on the work bench awaiting attention).  So 2846 will have to share the work with these.  Outside of that there was a mention of a 28xx rescuing the down Riviera once, a working that will have to be recreated at some point…
     
    Remaining Work:
    The model still requires: Dinghams, Crew, Lamps, Coal and Weathering.  At present there is no coal in the tender as the plastic load was previously removed, while the lack of rear couplings will become more of an issue once the layout is cleared of tools and running resumes.


  19. The Fatadder

    6829: Burlington Grange GWR Black

    By The Fatadder,


    Mixed Traffic
    Background:
    For some strange reason Hornby have only ever sold the Grange in Great Western liveries with the Churchward 3500gl tender, while the BR versions have been offered with the Collett 3500gl version.  This is a shame as the Hornby 3500gl Collett tender is rather nice, and I think the Grange looks a lot better with the bigger tender. 
    As I wanted a GWR black loco, and 6829 had the aforementioned Collett tender in 1947 the best option seemed to be buying a BR grange and rebranding.  The smokebox door numberplate was carefully carved off (replacing the missing bracket with Evergreen strip) and the BR tender crest was removed with Microsol.  New transfers were added (G crest W working from a period photo) along with the usual etched plates from Modelmaster.  It is fitted with a decoder (I think a ZTC direct plug), there’s not a lot of space in the boiler for fitting!
    Usage:
    The lack of space in the fiddleyard does not leave a great deal of work for mixed traffic engines, with 4 of the 8 roads filled with services that need a King or Castle and 2 with heavy freight.  That leaves the Milk, Parcels, M Set and an P-Way train against which there are 7 locos at present (8 if I ever get the 43xx running properly)
     
    Remaining Work:
    The loco still needs a crew, Dinghams, coal and weathering adding.  The weathering is particularly important on a black loco in my opinion, and seeing as the other 3 GWR black locos have now been weathered it makes sense to get this one finished.


  20. The Fatadder

    21c111 Tavistock: Southern

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background:
    This is a Hornby model which originally came with an unbranded tender and BR numbers on the cabside.  It has been renumbered with the Modelmasters pack (which included transfers for the numbers as well as the etched plates.) The BR number plate was carved off the front (with the Southern ring hiding the remains)
     
    Usage:
    This is intended for use on one of the more unusual workings through Brent.  There was a regular passenger service which for which the loco was provided by the Southern in order that their drivers could maintain route knowledge in case of closure of the Southern mainline.  (There was also a regular freight turn with an N Class mogul, and reciprocal workings on the Southern mainline with GW engines.)   So working from photos it will be running with an M Set comprising BCK, TK, TK, BTK.
     
    Work still to go:
    There is major job which is still required, for my period Tavistock had a narrow cab (of the type not produced by Hornby).  I have an etch from RT Models for the narrow cab, but it is going to be a lot of work with some complicated forming and a full respray (so needless to say it is not currently a priority.)  I also want to do something about the huge gap in the lower firebox / ashpan area.
    The loco also needs the usual details of a crew, lamps, Dingham couplings and real coal adding to the tender (all of which can be done prior to doing the work on the cab at least).


  21. The Fatadder

    37403- finished

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    37493 is has now had the missing depot plaque scares added, along with a coat of Dullcote to blend in the gloss around the transfers.  It has also been reunited with its cab bulkheads and glazing, and hence is now ready for weathering (for which I need to decide how far to go.  The roof certainly needs it to blend in the slight colour change or the repainted panel around the roof grill.
     


  22. The Fatadder

    67003 - transfers

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    Another long term workbench resident received transfers in my latest Railtec delivery.  So 67003 now has transfers applied, with Railtec used for the body side and end numbers / EWS logos.  Along with using the spare post 98 ohle flashes included in the Railtec 37403 pack.  The GM logos and the cab side EWS crests were from a spare Fox sheet.
     
    one difference with the Railtec transfers was that it very clearly said not to use Microsol products to get it to sit over the body side ribs.   Instead you add a couple of drops of pva.

     
    Last night I glossed the area under the transfers with some Klear.  A second coat was then applied over the top of the transfers after application to seal.  A coat of satin varnish will blend it all in tomorrow.
     

    it still needs a couple of paint touch ups ( in advance of that varnish top coat) and a few more details adding to the end (it’s currently missing jumper cables, along with the the air pipes) 
  23. The Fatadder

    37403 -transfers

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    I am finally nearing completion on 37403 resprayed from a Bachmann large logo model, with Extreme Etchings roof grills and Railtec transfers.  The BR crests were repainted with an off white mix (leaving a touch of red on the tail on one side). It still needs a coat of varnish before replacing the windows and a fair amount of weathering.


  24. The Fatadder

    4582 GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Tank Engines
    Background:
    This is a standard Bachmann release of the 4575 class which has been renumbered to 4582 (HMRS transfers and Narrow Planet plates).  Unfortunately the bunker area is a bit of poor design, with the rear fairing, coal load and the lower back of the cab interior are all moulded as one piece.  This means to remove the moulded coal load you have to remove the cab roof first, once out it was split into 3 parts (with the fairing and interior glued back into place.  With the roof off the backhead was painted and a crew glued into position before gluing the roof back into place.    The loco was fitted with Dingham couplings on both ends, before adding real coal in the tender and weathering.  Finally a lamp was drilled to fit the lamp iron (which can be moved to different positions if necessary).
     
    Use:
    The loco is intended to be the main Kingsbridge loco running the majority of services on the branch, as I do much prefer the later 4575 design over the earlier 4500.  Yet somehow I seem to have ended up with more of the latter than the former in the fleet.


  25. The Fatadder

    4085 Berkeley Castle

    By The Fatadder,


    Express Passenger
    Background:
    This originated with parts from two Hornby Castle releases, with the body originating with Tintagel Castle and the tender from Wellington (with the other parts used on my model of Nunney Castle).  This gives the correct loco body and tender to model Berkeley Castle in 1947 condition, although the frames are incorrect in that they should be of the “joggle” type.  Unfortunately  I think Hornby have only done one release in that condition (as the NRM edition Caerphilly Castle) which came with a 3500gl tender that is pretty useless for 1947 Castles.  Fortunately the error is not that noticeable,  all be it one that I do intend to eventually rectify should the required parts become available.
     
    Work on the model was relatively straight forward, Modelmasters’ etched plates were modified to removing the splasher mount and glued in place over the top of the Hornby plates, likewise the Modelmasters cab side numbers were glued in position.  The buffer beam numbers were removed with Microsol and replaced with HMRS transfers.  All foot plate lining was removed with a combination of Microsol and a scraper, before painting in a weathered black/grey/brown mix along with the rest of the underside.  The green areas on loco and tender were given a coat of Klear to improve the tepid Hornby green, before receiving a light coating of soot along the boiler top and dirt along the lower sides and the leading edge of the tender.   Finally the smokebox and roof were painted with a grey black mix, and some real coal was added to the tender.  It has been fitted with a Dingham coupling on the rear (and a Dingham compatible screw link on the front to enable coupling to an assisting engine).  While a Lenz Gold decoder is fitted in the tender.
     
    Usage:
    The two main turns for this loco will be the TPO and the North West service, along potentially with the Sleeper, (with use shared with two other Castles).
     
    Remaining Work:
    The only job that remains on this loco is the fitting of a crew / appropriate lamps 
×
×
  • Create New...